Las Vegan stays with game plan, unifies lightweight titles

By The Associated Press

3 years ago

Devin Haney, center, of the United States, poses with his belts after defeating Australia's Geo ... — Devin Haney, center, of the United States, poses with his belts after defeating Australia’s George Kambosos in their WBC lightweight title fight in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, June 5, 2022. Haney retained his WBC lightweight title and added three more from the weight class with a unanimous points decision over Australian George Kambosos. (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Devin Haney, left, of the United States fights in his bout against Australia’s George Kambosos in their WBC lightweight title fight in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, June 5, 2022. Haney retained his WBC lightweight title and added three more from the weight class with a unanimous points decision over Australian George Kambosos. (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Devin Haney, right, of the United States, fights during his bout against Australia’s George Kambosos in their WBC lightweight title fight in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, June 5, 2022. Haney retained his WBC lightweight title and added three more from the weight class with a unanimous points decision over Australian George Kambosos. (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)

Australian boxer George Kambosos gestures during a public training session at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. U.S.-based Australian boxer Kambosos will put his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line on Sunday at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium to fight American Devin Haney. (Diego Fedele/AAP Image via AP)

American boxer Devin Haney boxes during a public training session at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. U.S.-based Australian boxer George Kambosos will put his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line on Sunday at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium to fight American Devin Haney. (Diego Fedele/AAP Image via AP)

MELBOURNE, Australia — Las Vegas’ Devin Haney stuck to the plan — and it paid off.

“I was comfortable, just sticking to the game plan,” Haney said. “The game plan was to hit and not get hit. I fought a good smart fight. He couldn’t hit me with either of his best shots.”

Haney, who proved to be the better technical fighter before a crowd of 41,129 at the covered Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, now has an undefeated record of 28-0 with 15 KOs and is the undisputed world lightweight boxing champion.

Haney retained his WBC lightweight title and added three more from the weight class after his unanimous points decision over Australian George Kambosos.

The 23-year-old Haney won three of the first four rounds and was well ahead at the halfway point of the 12-round bout to become undisputed champion in the lightweight division.

The judges scored the fight 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110 in Haney’s favor. Haney praised the U.S.-based Kambosos, who was fighting for the first time in his native Australia in five years.

“I take my hat off to him, he’s a true warrior. Even though he got disrespectful, I stayed a gentleman,” Haney said. “A lot of these so-called champions wouldn’t give me my shot, but George has.”

Kambosos, 28, held the WBO, WBA, and IBF lightweight titles heading into the fight. Those now belong to Haney.

Kambosos’ unbeaten pro career record has ended — he’s 20-1 with 10 KOs. Kambosos won all three of his world titles when he beat Teofimo Lopez in 2019.

“It’s amazing for the sport and the country,” Kambosos said after handing over his belts to Haney. “I wanted to take the hardest test and I will give him full respect after his victory. Let him have his time.”

While Kambosos landed the heavier blows throughout the 12-round contest, Haney peppered the home hope with left jabs to win over the judges.

The fighters barely threw a punch in a watchful opening round that Kambosos may have stolen with a late combination to the American’s body. Kambosos landed the first big punch of the fight, a heavy right to Haney’s head, in the second as the Australian had his challenger retreating.

A more aggressive Haney took the third round with a series of left jabs and looked to have also shaded the fourth before Kambosos delivered a big left hook late.

Kambosos landed another strong, much-needed left in the sixth round as Haney’s peppering jab began to show on the Australian’s face. Haney controlled rounds seven and eight, leaving Kambosos to find something to sway the judges.

The Australian took the ninth round, but couldn’t penetrate Haney’s defense in the final rounds.

“I thought the fight was very close,” Kambosos said. “He boxed his game, he moved. He didn’t want to come to fight too much but that’s his game.”

Kambosos suggested a rematch might be in the cards.

“I’m going to change a few things and get him back later this year,” Kambosos said. “I take the risk, not many wanted to fight him but I gave him a shot. Today they gave him the decision but I’m sure that will change when we get it on again.”